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Jp Maryland. 
jUS^ AEFBEbENTATlVES. U. 5. 

February, 1827. 

'***^/%^^*- 

The following Resolution, offered by Mr. SAUNr 
PERS, of North Carolina, being under considera- 
tion : 

Et^oM, That the Secretary ^^ ^'"'^To?JlTsutes° 
,his House a list of each newspaper in each of the btates, 
n which the laws of Congress were directed to be pub- 
"sherm the years 1825 -'I 1^26 ; a so a Ust^^^^^ 
which the laws are dir.cted to be published in 1827, •. e»ig 
uatlni the changes which have been made, and the reasons 
for each change. 

Mr. DORSEY addressed the House to the fol- 
lowing effect: 

Mr. Speaker : Without offering; any apolop for intruding 
myself on the attention of the House, I sha 1 proceed to th« 
consideration of the proposition on your table. 

11 e professed object of the call for the information asked 
for by th( resolution, is to lay the foundation for a leg.sla- 
dve enactm.nt.dives;h.g the Secretary of State of the pow- 
er of se!eciin<^ the publishers of the laws ol Congress in the 
different StaUs and Territories of the Union, and vesting the 
like power in some other depository ,u,, tf.i. 

The alleged reason for sue a divestment is, that the 
Secretary of Stat, has use , this power a, a means of influ- 
eucuff the pi ess, and thus affecting its puritv 

Willie I shall r.ce a<.mit for the sake of the argument 
that the power of selecting th> publishers ot the laws by the 
S cretary, in its very theury, promises to be so u.ed. and 
to be productive .f such a result, to the extent of tie means 
entrusted bv the existing legislation to h.m for t^he promul- 
ration of the laws, and on the p-v.ous on whom this patron- 
jL-e can be b. ought t. bear, 1 shall v^t^ against -ny call 
fo'Vmforn.ation, the avowed object of whith is to j:round an 



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ulttuor act oi Ieg->. 
poiver, because I b Lt 
tion cannot rtreate any *. 
which will not in its theroy u 
the like results. 

Whoever shall exercise this pow 
the same impulses of friendship, par. 
to party. These feelings have been impi 
Author of our being, and no human legisjv. 
cate them ; they do exist, an<i do bias a\S our a^ .« de 

fiance of all the suggestions of re:iica ^ud patriousm. All 
histoiy demonstrates, l hat power will be exercised to sus- 
tain him or the party who wields it It is an evil iucid-ntal 
to every form of government. None are perfect ; < ach isf 
cursed with its attendant evil. In a republic like ours, this 
patronage will, and has been, used in all and every convul- 
sion of party ; and the more angry and distracted the pub- 
lic mind is, the more will this patronage bo put into requisi- 
tion. It is only in a political calm, when no rivalship dis- 
tracts the popular feeling, that it is not actively felt. 

These universally recognisfd tiiKhs are presented to the 
consideration of this House, to enable me to demonstrate 
that t!)e present investment of this power is more judicious 
^'.'.(1 less liable to be used to the injury of the liberty of the 
priss than any other that cm be created. 

If you (dace this pow*-r in the presiding officer of this 
House, as he will be electee! by the triumphant party, he will 
be urged by party attachments, by political gratitude, to 
distribute tliis j^atronage in that direction which he shall 
deem the in -st elTlracious to sustain the prin iples and poli 
ty of those to whom he owes the distinguished honor of 
presiding ovtrits ttelilieraticms. 

If you deh'gate it lo a (\)ramittee of the House, the same 
results will follow. They will be selected by the iriumphant 
parly. If wp assume it curstlves, the same ol)jfictions arise; 
the choic<-v/ill he decided by tiie same party considerations, 
ai ti'Ui led with the additional objection that th-' exercise of suci) 
n power would distract the deliberations i>f tliis assembly, 
and consnme that lime whic'; ought to be ;^iven to rjues- 
iions of higlier national impori.ance, and liic ciioice would 
be tlie result of "' management, bargiiining and intrigue." 
'i'lie g-ritleman from Souih Carolina, (Mr. Hamilton,) with 
ids u^nal hnf)py invention, has suggested a sovereign 
preventive against this (!< Icterioiis po*vcr i xercscd over the 
press, and which, he says, threatens the deslrnclion of th-? 
liberties of this countiy. I'hal prtventivi,- is in transffr-rring 
the choice of the publishers of the laws to the repiesenta- 
tives of tfic States weie th« laws are severally published. 

With an impa-si oned boldnt'SS he argued that tliis power, 
^o vested, " cuulu not, woulilnot, dmrd not be abused." 

This suggestion of his, is another confir<ua'ion that " the 
?pirt of improvement" is abroad upon the earfh. Ile^iri 






uis warm conception of the purily of this nous(», believes 
that he has discovered a power of appointment more perfect 
than any ever suggested by the enlightened wisdom of po- 
litical theorists ; where power " cannot, will not, dare not be 
a!uised." 

This sug:2-es(ion he thinks will find an advocate in that 
principle of man, whicli perpetually urges him to add to his 
power, a!id extend the sphen- of his influence ; and is so 
attractive, as to require a spirit of forbearance to resist the 
seducing assumption of it. It is also predicated upon the 
hypothesis, that the immediate repiesentatJives ofihe peo- 
ple have more political purity than either of the other bran- 
ches of the Government. However true this may be, it be- 
comes not our modesty to pronounce our belief in its truth 
This eulogium, to be respected, must emanate from a more 
impartial judge. 

This power, with us, " will not be abused." Are we ex- 
empted from the frailties of our nature? Do w© publish it 
to the world that we have not the sensibilitifs of other men, 
or tiiat, if we have, that our firmness in resisting their influ- 
ence is more sublimated than others? The first assertiOQi 
is a libel upon our na(ure^ the latter is an »""''*** ^'„e nation 
Eut '< w« liar. n«* .^-^gg jj „ jj^ jjjg scenceTf government,' 
it has heretofore been believed, that the indivisibility of the 
appointing power was the greatest guard against its abuse j 
and that the divisibility of this power among many, and 
the consequent division of responsibility, rendered it more 
liable to abuse. On tliis theory of responsibility, from the 
unity of the appointing power, does the Executive branch 
of the federal government, and also all our State govern- 
ments, repose. 

This republic will not, cannot be without parties, ground- 
ed either upon principles or personal predilection. The 
representatives vuU be chosen with an eye to these rival- 
ships, aid the triumphant party of the stale delegation in 
the Congress will distribute this patronage to foster their 
own policy, or to gratify their own preference. If, how- 
ever, a quiet slate should ever arise, from the unanimity of 
the public mind as to national measures — and God knows 
the political indications of the present titti' offer po such 
consoling hope to the patriot — the Stat s will be divided 
upon subjects of either sectional or state policy, or upon 
old political parties of federalists o^ democrats, or b. tween 
the Bucktitils or CIi>'tonians, or the Liberals or Iliib* rjils; 
and the repre«pntatives here will bring this feeling with 
Ihem. Thus the proposed change is resisted by the 
consideration tliat the ch( ice of the publishers of the laws 
would be liable to b'' affected, not only by those divisions of 
party connected with the fedei al government, but also uitb 
those of the state 60veieigtitiei. 

The responsibility for the abuse of the power is weakened 
^7 tbe cojjsideration that no individtial wctild be responsi- 






b)e for its abuse ; each would throw the odium of improper 
appointments on the other, each would say it was the act of 
the majority ; mercy and justice would forbid the direction 
ef the public odium for its abuse against an individual, with- 
out a certainty that thf^ abuse was his act; and thus the 
most g-laririg abuse would go unchasti^ed. 1 pray you, 
what would be the responsibility for the abuse of the power 
of eanploying ihe enormous sum of $240 — the actual average 
allowed for publishing the laws in a state — to the prostration 
of the purity of the press, wlien divided among ti.irty-four 
representatives of a large State, or even the smaller num- 
ber of five or seven rep.esentatives? This simple question 
alone is a sufBcient refutation of the positive position of the 
gentleman fiom South-Carolina, and exliibits in broad relief 
the imaginary fears, for the liberties of this country, attend- 
ant on this pafronage, which teems from the excited feelings 
of the advocates of this resolution. 

The power is now vested where it ought to be, it is in ac- 
cordance with the whole theory of the national and state 
governments; all of which recognise the unity of the ap- 
nointing power as the most effeciual safeguard against its 
abuse. It is nowresteain k Iv.Z^ and responsible individual, 
liable for its abuse by the terrors of impeacnm»:iii ; aM<>t..C. 
American people cannot,will not but consider that he to whom 
its great diplomatic concerns may be entrusted, may be a 
fit depository of a power whose object is to cause the laws 
of the Union to be published. 

I have thus far, Mr. Speaker, admitted, for the sake of 
the argument, that the power under discussion, like other 
powers, is liable to he abused, and that it may be brought 
to bear directly on the press, and thus measurably operate 
on its independence. Let us now examine the power of its 
action. That power is to be feared as dangerous to the free- 
dom of the press, according to the means which are placed 
at the control of the Secretary, for this breach of the public 
service, and the character upon whom this patronage may 
be brought to operate. 

The gentleman from South Carolina states that under the 
lodgment of this power, the Secretary of State can and 
does wield, directly and indirectly, a sum of from (50 to 70,000 
dollars annually. 1 hare sought information from the State 
Department as to the amount annually expended for the 
printing and publishing o#lhe laws of the Union ; and the 
reply from the chief clerk states, that the total expenditure 
for the last year for those objects, was $10,505. Of this 
sum, $3,200 was for printing and binding, $7,505 for pro- 
mulgating the laws in the newspupers; and to f-ach of the 
publishers of the New Hampshire Patriot, Maine Argus, 
Argus of Western America, for promidgating the laws iiT 
their rmpcctiTe states, was paid the sum of $95. Tbesp are 
the edlto'S, wh.», in the military language of the gentleman 
from South Carolina, directed "" their batteries ol perpetual 



5 



jitonaiion/' (against the coalition and the palace guards,) 
" with the most lusty and unmitigated violence," for this ab- 
stractilon of their accustomed dole of what the gentleman is 
pleased to call " Treasury pap.'' 

I have thus, Mr. Speaker, reduced to the certainty of of- 
ficial statements, the extent of this patronage. How vi- 
sionary are the fears expressed by the advucates for the 
divestment of this power, that the purity of the press can in 
the slightest degree be eadangered by the distribution of 
such a paltry sum throughout this vast extended empire, for 
services rendered ! I have no right to question ther sinceri- 
ty, but the experience of our own times convinces us that 
here, when lashed into excitement by the collisions of de- 
bate, we suppose that there are many crises in our national 
affairs, on which the people look with calm indifference, and. 
wonder that such causes should give rise to such appalling 
forebodings; and such will be the opinion that this nation 
vill entertain of this discussion. 

Let us now consider the corruptible materials upon whom 
this patronage is to be expended. They are the printers of 
newspapers — most generally men of education, of high liter- 
ary attainments, aad moving in the very first circle of social 
aud politic.ll life, the influence of whose press depends upon 
its unwavering adhesion to principles, and whose power 
over public opinion vanishes whenever it is suspected that 
uhe change of its editorial character springs from venal con- 
siderations ; men wiio look to the profits of their paper, not 
for the transient, but for the pennanent support of their 
families. Yet the gentlemen would have us believe that 
men thus educated, holding such distinguished rank in so- 
ciety, and thus sustained by honorable pride, and by com- 
mendable family consi derations, would prostrate their hopes, 
their pride, and expectation of future usefulness, for the 
contemptible pittance of $90 a year, and that their vanity 
mav be satiated by being proclaimed " Printers by Author- 
ity.'" 

I have no such fears, the nation cannot have such. The 
character of the American press v/ill not permit us to yield 
ourselves to those fanciful terrors which alarm the patriot- 
ism of the advocates of the call. Such a tremendous oper- 
ation on the destinies of this country cannot be the work- 
ing of such patronage, so restricted and so impotent. In all 
the revolutions of parties, I recollect not one printer who 
has changed the party character of his press. They have 
died the death of political aiartrydom rather than deny their 
political faith. 

Tliose editors whose names have been introduced in 'this 
debate present a striking illustration of the correctness of 
my theory, and dissipates from the inquiring and unexcited 
mind all those dire forebodings conjured up by the warmth 
and animation of opposition. They foresaw that a political 
tempest was gathering over tl-is land ; they saw that in'the 

1* 



combinations of the new parties that were to dmSetus 
^ople, a violent political struggle w ..s -o an<e, m wMch 
Sllth means u^nallv atten>lant on such o.vis.ons w. re t(^ 
be call d into active' requisition. Yet .ach and every oi 
t^hem eiecred, beiu, swept from the l.st of" P-J-s by au 
thority," raiher th.n forego the.r opposUion to ]^^^^^ 
cabinn; an^iyrt, with presses composed ^^»"^*;. .^^'^^^^^^^^ 
and stubborn independence, do the gentlemen affec to dread 
their conversion by the cabinet at Washington, by the mean. 
n tVii^ iiioficrie notronage ! 

I v^i] ::>w sho'w how this prerogative of selecting the news- 
papers for this purpose has been exercised under t.is go- 
Ten.ment. and that of the States. , 4 :t ha« hoen 

It has b.en called a Jeffers .man policy ; and it has been 
sa d in debate, to have been fir-t introduced upon his acces. 

on to the Prekdency . It does owe its .-f.oducuon into the 
American cabinet to that distinguished mdiviaual, ^^ '» » »« 
.adier day ; for it is almost co-eval with our Constitution 

^*tL after the ratification of that instrument, tl- two rival 
parties which have distracted th.s nation, ^PP^^'^'Jl^ '^^ 
Lad of one of them was that illustrious cit.z.. ^ ' ^^^' f \ 
oiander Hamilton. At that o. the other, was that .^.^.t.n. 
tuLhed^tate.man, whose death the American people hare 
fe en ly mourned Mr. Jefferson. He was then Secre ary 
of Sm e Prior to this political .chism, the onpn of wluch 
Uisnotmv puipose now to trace, a paper, edited by M . 
Fenno^as coLidered as the press of the ('oven.ment 
1 t r ihrdivision of sentiment entered into a;d detracted 
the deliberations of General Washington's cab.ne^^.^ Na 
jinnal Gaz«ite edited ia accordance with the Known anu 
rwen pnndpl- of the ^ecretary-of State wa,susa.ued 
•md invigorated by the patronage ot th^ Stale De part men . 
He "e fp ung the practice of "taking careotone's fnends^ 
It wL followed by Mr. Adams; and when 'the doors of 
It was toil )W(.u y ^^ revo ution of parties, 

'""''• ' HOr;^ oV-n to Mr^refferson and his friend. 
r;y"' prinier^bTamVority" was swept with the besom of 
nolitfcal destiuction from his occupation, and the publi.h.n- 
^ r^wftrsferr d to friendly P^^^-^^J^T^ ^^.Z 
,-,.■ 1 lo the. txfnt <>( Iheir circulal;on. The peopl' sanciion 
fdi cvn. ".eua suppUnting printer had render«l h,™- 
:df promlnon.ly ha.cSl, by his bit.er „.u,.erafo.,s of .h^ 

■Tl"tr,;e".:''irerSua,e .ha. Mr,Je,Te.„„, by 
.;iT:r'.r.^a;c.o„ ,0 s„cl> a ^o,.rse of^^ 

^^:X s-rprna-r For, Si. .h. papers of .ha. 
■day prUe that this EUiior »as toasted at the civic leasR 



i 

^hich mnnifested the joy for this victory', as the most eftj* 
cient instrument in eflecti>ig thf great political revolution. 

I r.'^fer to this occurrence as iltu.vtrating- in the most con- 
clusive manner tlie views of that illustrious inan. as to the 
expediency of a party sustaining by its patronage its friends, 
notwithstanding that in thf excit(-mpnt incidental to all po- 
pular governin'-nt, they should .say someiliing which patri- 
otisni, national pride, and national gratitude sorrow at when 
reason resumes its sway. 

Having thus been incorporaled with the policy of his ca- 
binet, Mr. Madison and Mr. Monoi f sustained It during their 
administration of the State D-partment; and I may here be 
peimitted to inquire of the Repiesentatives of this nation, 
if they have a recollection of a solitary printer being retain- 
ed after 1802, who did not re-echo the sentiments of tlie 
Presidential message, and did not, in the language (.fthe 
gentleman from South Carolina, "direct their batteries of 
nerpetual intonation upon the then factious opposition with 
lusty and unmitigated violence." 

Every State has adof>ted this Jeffersonian policy ; and in 
all and every triumph of the rival paiti<s, the practice of 
dislscatiiig piiuteis from office, has been considered as an 
incident of victory. Is has tne autl)ority of every party, by 
wliatever snbdivision it may L-e known, for its vindication. 
Till n©w, however, we have seen none thus removed, 'i.o 
thoughtless and so vain as to preset. t tneinselves as a fit sub- 
ject for ridicule, by " howling," (•^n use tne expression of the 
gentleman from South Carolina,) that tiiey are the victims 
uf perstcnti n; that tne liberties of their country are endan- 
gered in conse(}uonce of th^irloss, annuallv, of ninety dol- 
favs worth of '' Ti easury pap !'' The Minister presiding over 
every Department of your Government has thus used thia 
p:-itionage. 

It is a matter of history, sir, that not long since certain 
distinguished and honorable men of thi^ nation, believing 
that tiie res'stance which exh.ibited itself here, to that syFtem 
and that policy which tiiey deemed r ssential that this Gov- 
ernment s!;ould :idrpt, as consistent witht the elevated rank 
■which this republic ougiit to occupy in the eyes of tlie civil- 
ized world, and with the prrmanent happiness and perpetu- 
ity of this Union — by their ewn resourci s gave life and being- 
to the ^Vashington Kepuhruan, and <lovoted its columns to 
the eshibition of the eviis an\l deformities of what was then 
dubbed " radicalism," and sustained the cause (.fthe S c- 
retary of War, who was then a candidate for the Presidency. 
Yet the then Secretary used his patronage by selecting ihat 
paper, thus laboring in his cause, at the paper, although 
«f less circulation than others, in wliich the prcposrls for con- 
tracts for the pul/lic service shotdd he disseminated. 

Again, when the Secretary of the Treasury was a randi- 
<1«te for the Presidency, hp, too, bestowe.l his patronage <>n 
•that paper whose columns defended his fitness for that high 



. 8 

ftalioniand he did attempt to control that press by with- 
drawinc from it his patronage, for strictures which he deem- 
ed tha- refleciive wpon a cabinet of which he was a mem- 
ber, and upon the ciiai-acter of a political rival. Why did 
the "Arguses" then sleep oi* their post, and fail to denounce 
the exercise of this absorbing official patronage, which they 
now point to as promi«;ing, when administered by a political 
adversary, to engulph the liberties of this people? Where 
then were those ardent and floquent guardians of the chas- 
tity of the press, who tremide with " «spen sensibility" at 
thf» slightest approach on its virtue, those presses whose 
lucubrations wert- devoted to the advancement of those 
rival chiefs to tlie imperial purple were indulged, in the 
metaph 'Heal language of the imaoinative gentleman <rom 
South Carolina.to fatten on 'treasury pap,' from the "sturdy 
mastiff that howled at the door of the treasury, to the most 
slavering turnspit that barked on the farthest verge of our 
frontier, even to the w ilderni ss of our Indiao solitudes?" Now , 
m the revolution of parties, patronage and its friends have 
departed from them, I will not say hincillce lachrymce. 

I have shown that all paities have exercised this right of 
calling around them their friends, that the whole American 
people, in the alternate triunjph of the rival parties, have 
countenanced it, and that every Minister, from the orgau- 
•zation of the Government, has adopted its policy- A pow- 
er which is now fdenoiiured by the g«'ntl.Mnan from JNorth 
Carolina, as more alarming than the old "sedition law;" 
l>v another gentleman (from South Carolina,) as 'more 
dangt'rous to our r^^publican institutions than Major Gen- 
eral Brown and his army waging war against its liberties" 
— more to be apprehended " than all the dogmas of the 
law lib'd pronounced by the most obsequious minion of 
power." 

This is, indeed, an age of revolution. Scarce has com- 
infuc" d tht^ dec'iranosition of the mortal elements of the il- 
iusfrious sage and statfsnian, Jefl'erson, whom his fri<n)ds de- 
lighted to honor, who was called l)y them by the endearing 
name of the Father ol the great repuhlican party, wlien 
we see these friends denounce to the nation his settled and 
recognised principles of Slate exped'ency and policy as 
mori' dangerou* to the purity of the press than the '' sedi- 
tion law" of cursed memory, than all the " dogmas of ihelaw 
of libel, pronounced by the most obsequious minion of j)ow- 
er," iiiore dangerous to the liberties and perpetuity of this 
Government than the well deriplined tor|>s of the gallant 
Major General Brown Heaven*. ! what havock does ima-. 
ginatioi) make with leason! 

The power hus producod no evil. But, Sir, I will correct 
rnjself I did say, every Minister in this Government iiad 
so used this power. 

'i'here was one Minister who never did so use it — and that 
Minister was a candidate for the highest ho:»or in the gift 



of the American people : At a period wheq l,e had for one 
compet.tor * ci.uen who, by th. splendor of hfsmSv 
achievements, and the lasting lustre which the LT^Tof 

^ontnn '?:, T ^^^>'"'^'-'-^" «rms, had fascinated a W 
poit.on of the American people ; for a second, a man wK 

served the strength of hh mind and the integri.y of h^ 
heart, who presided at the head of the T.easury^Depart- 

ZTon,Tc ""' ""P--^*-^-<^ difficulty in theLcal'con- 
cernsofthsGovernmeMt, and brought them in order, with 
an admuable regard alike to economy and humanity and 

disda ns to be a slave to tne arts and intrigues of desi-nin- 

Jed" imu" f' ''"^/ "'' ^" ^'^'^ «^^^ ^^^ ac'quired at uSr. 
IresS r '" '^"' *^"""'^-^ ^"'" ^''' P«^*^'« i" debate, who, 
his an° J?r T "^"'.P'-^^ide. Sir, by the fascination of 
trat on h h- ', *1 ^'^''.''y ^"^ i«nP«rtality of his adminis- 
bater ;.nl.r '^'"'•^"^^.^'"/"^t^ining the inexperienced de- 
bater, ranked among his friends many, very many, indeed 

'ionsTfThisHo '"\""^ '' participate.^, the'delib::'-' 
uons of this Ho.se, whose powerful and successful I. bors 

pot^r^auxS^^^^^ '''' brought to his aid ma n^ 

Yet, in such a race, for such a prize, with such comneti- 
tors, so well calculated to disturb the government of ,eason 
and to seduce even patriotism from its moorings, did this 

perm, ted official patronage : and if it be such a power and 
capable of such expansion, as the gentlemen have described 
it, It was an act of such self-denial, and such forbearance as 
became the purest days of Roman liberty ; and will eternize 
h.s name m all time to come ; and that minister was John Q. 
Adams. ^ 

f. ^\l^7 °f"''" "P ''"' *''^"''' *" *''« '"'■'^"ds of this inquiry 
for this development of his great sensibility in every thiuff 
connected with the purity of the press; and pray heaven to 
give bim many such discussions as these. 

The gentleman from Tennessee has declaimed against the 
exerc.se of .h.s power for this purpose, and h,is added an- 
other printer to the rueful list of discarded p. inters, for the 
puipose of snowing that the State Department has no uni- 
form pnnc.ple of distribution. It turns out, upon inquiry 

that ;L T ^''''^7^ '?•" '^'' ••^'"^'■^^ «^ the gentleman; 
that the Tennessee Leg.slature dismissed this printer as prin- 
Mr r, ^^'^'t' ^^'''*"'^ ^^ "'^^ supposed to be friendiv to 
^ r?^' ^""^ Kl ''"'"^ '" ^ S'^te devoted to the Hero of 
JNew Orleans. He deemed it alike lespectful and prudent 
to practise a guarded neutrality. That Legislature would' 
however, .n the language of the gentleman from South Car-' 
olina, permit "no neutrals.',' To insure a continuance of 



Jts "T.ensury pip," it was 5i.dispcnsable that he shoajA 
keep up alu.ty and unmitigated fire against the " coah- 
tion" ajM " the Palace Guards." a r.f C^n lack^ 

Having thus been removed by the friends of Gen Jack 
.o-.for hi. Uentpreferer.ee of the Secretary of State, and 

e'ultL from such proscription ? Yet after this exch>sion 
T he orinter of the Nashville Whi? for his decorous neu- 
i^^Wv and hs open and avowed attempt to warp and con- 
trolt/e press bv the most efficient patronage, we find the 
1" t mnn f.om Tennessee denouncing ^'-^ --^^/j^^X; 
tronaoe vested in the Srcretary . as dangerous to the liberties 
ofthe'countrv. Whatwonde.fuleonsistency . ^ . ^_, 
The gemleLn from Tennessee says tl-t it mjgh have 
been permitted to Mr. Jefferson to have acted thu. , the 
nacL had then just ' achieved a triumph over a p.W 
arttocracy ZZd had placed its feet upon the neck of the 
aristocracy, wnic. y consulted with his cabinet, and 

American people; .i^t ♦.« coubuucu ..^^..i.j;^a.» 

aidop.ed these measures as necessary to 9U5>..... '-^— ';-.- 
principles." I understand then from the gentleman, that it 
wa 27 legitimate to control the pr.ss, by means of the 
ratrona"e of the Government ; to call around it its friends. 
?o occlude the doors of honor and office against its enemies : 
but now, when all parties are d.ss.lved-when, fP m the 
weaknes of the resistance of its enemies the dommant 
partv becomes divided-when rival chiefs of the same par- 
ly aspire to the chair of state-when the nation is to be con- 
vulsed to pluck down from his high eminence the ^uc- 
ecssful competitor, it is wrong;, it is dangerous to the hber- 
tiesofthe country, to call in the m. ans which were then 
tdmitt. d to be legitimate, against this common enemy, to 
operate upon members who wh.re then of the same com- 
mon househoh!. Against thai " odious aristocacy. every 
engine of political warfare might b-^ directed ; even ,f the r 
teodencies,in the view of the gentleman f^""; So"th-Ca.oh- 
na. were more dangeious to t.c liberties of thi. nation than 
all the " dogmas ol the law of libel, pronounced by the most 
ohsrquious minion ofpow^r;" becaus. it was then neces- 
.arv to retain the frniis of their victory- But now it is most 
• piiious'-.nost ' i.itiou>' indeed, to yi-.it on their own he;j^ds 
these political inventions. U is not the first time that 
" bloo 'V political inventions, haviny bren taught, havo ie> 
turned t'o plague their inventors." Permit me to say U does 
neither comport with magnanimity, nor with the principles 
...f distributive justice, to vindicate the api^lication of this pa- 
tronage against the, "odious aristocracy," and to denounce 
it when -iirfctcd bv a triumphant fiagment of the saror 
parly against those of the same political household, labour 
inrnowt^resrih^ccpti^^ 



li 

The gentleman from Tennessee says that the victory was 
achieved cwera " proud aristocracy who had place-Mheir 
feet on ihe necks of the people." A bitter denunchjtion at all 
times: an unexpected bitter denunciation in the«e times- 
for we had been taught to believe that tUe time had now ar- 
rived when tiiat monster, party, was to be sfrmffled I 
could have wished thut the gentleman from Tennessee, who 
has invoked to his aid some of the sentiments of the ( elebra- 
ted letter ot thf- hero of Orleans to iMr. Mo-.roe, had discuss- 
ed this question under that mihi toleration as to our former 
pohticid differences, which pervades that celebrated corres-- 
poudenc.'. If he had so forborne, it would have saved me 
from participating in this debate. 

In that letter, the subject of so much admiration, General 
Jackson, anxious to restore harmony and social inte. course 
and to call to the aid of the nation citizens of exalted virtue' 
ot known taleuts and of tried patriotism, exclaims that "now 
is the tune to destrov that monster, party ;" and with all the 
ardor of patriotism and disi.!teres.tedness of friendship in- 
vokes ]Mr. Monroe, as heprize^^ his own fame and the future 
bappmess of th- American people, to administer the g^overn- 
ment as the President of the nation, and not of a partv Tliat 
letter, which operated as a magical incantation, bv bringing 
to his supp, rt those very Federalists who had created lids 
odious aristocracy which had placed its feet on the necks 
of the American people," in every State of the Union in 
which they w. re in the minority. It was fo have been , x- 
pected that such political charily would be productiv.- of 
such an adhesion; they had, for their supposed political 
heresies— (no long.-r now denounced as heresies, but had 
assumed and practiced on in everv instance, save onp as 
the only true conservative principles of the constitution 'and 
the national prosperity )-b. en de»ounced and excluded 
from all participation in the State or rvational Coisncils 
They therefore looked foiward to the elevation of tliat .iis- 
tinguished Hero as the harbinger of those halcyon days of 
political quietude when the onlv considen.tion .n tlie ele- 
vation lor office would be, is the- •' candidate faitifui, hon.it 
and competent?" 

JNo selfish considciafions mintrled in these a'.pirat^o-s for 
such a political calm It was that the States mi. hi command 
thetalents, patriotism, and zeal of all Iier citizens Ti er 
believed ihat the elevation of the he.o, and his assump.ion 
of such a foihearins poliiy, would diffuse a like sacrincing' 
feeling throughout the States. Hence it was that th.v rusif- 
ed to his stan.iard, The celebrated manifesto issued from 
tne caucus, c.mvened in this hall, developing the principles 
upon which the election of another venerated citizen wa. to 
he sustan-ed tor the Presidency, gave an additional imp. tus 
to these considerations. 

In that it was avowed, ti at an union of the republicans 
was essential to crush, beyond tlie hope5 ofresuv-cifation, the 



12 



.u * *u^ c«aUp was only scotched, not killed', 
ftderal party ; that \he snakejas on y ^ ^^.^.^^ ^^ ^^^^-^ 

that the party was snll act a^^^^^ be seen as a squa- 

thcir lost power: ^hat these were t ^^^^^.^^ 

drone volame. ammated by one commo^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^_ 

around ^^^ -Pf^'^^^^Lg 'h^lh^epolftical victory : and 
division of ;^' ;r^^^;^; f^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ sinew of the 

to destroy this J"^"ft^ J.^ ^^^.,4^^ to forego all jealousi^ 
^Id republican paity -^^J^\l^^^,,^,J, to extinguish 

re^eTttTSic^afa^pi-^ 

distractions o^ the tmes: the .;ther oi^e w^^^^ a ^^ 
be a rei-n ofostracsm and civil dissensions, J^^ ^ 

aristocracy," between these ^^-f-^^f .^f^Ce and 
they now constitute, in a great ^^^ ee tj^« ^^^^, 

•.n^«r" which su-^tain the benevolent mi>sionary wuu y 
ed .", Ity orpolhicaUharU:, and fo.g^.ne.. 

But it ma, be a.ked '' '^^y P''\'S'^;;4" .0 th. caos, 
which have brought lh>s !'»'/ "f ~f47, ^„ exemption 

of Gen. •'-/-". "^'^^'/.'^gr^^/p'on^, of the dU.rict 
ffom Its infloence. I, ana a giea F j,^ . 

ftom "hence 1 come do p^e.e,. an ^-P'', „„.,, p,,,,-, 
eral principles. Ihere ^^\^'7^ ,^ .„„. .t.p ^.-r to an ene- 
ple." Our peninsula Pr^^^"*^^ ^"""^ ,f .VrrVin- desoU- 
LyofmariLe superiority, the »^^^^; ^ ^^^^?' ^ e'^treams. 
Jn into its very heart, by its nume o- - -g^^^^^,,,^,^ 
The war was scarcely over. We liad in nesn ^^ 

its calamities ; the burning of »»- .^ouse^^he P^^^^^^^^^^ ^. 

our farms, the ^^Po;;^^-,^ ^ t.Sa and penury, ^l 
veavery many, ot our citi/.en* lu . .^^,, .^-jth terror 
have been thus led to look to a war < f "^^^ .'^ ^.^,^^. 

,nd.Usmav. The tone ot «"^ '^'f,;' ^"'^^^^^^^^^^^^ civi- 

stanccs, b;came pacific, and we "f '^J^y^-^'^X long de- 
lian, for oar President to a ^^[;'«^' "^"'^;^",," ty . ngen- 
votion to arms, -<>"^i "^^^\^-^">;/^ .^ /c^^^^^^^^^^^ This 

Uered by '^^^^^^/l^^t^^t^^n^^e.gt "ed' bv the energetic 
phU sophv ''fo"' '^a'"^^;'^^^^ ;^\,.^, cefebrated letter, 
Lguage held J^X ['-. Jacks^^^^^ '^ ,^Vlouroe to Mr. Mad- 
wherein be says that he P'^*^'*-'^'.^ '■;';,..„,, ^f a philosopher, 
diso... because the latter was '' 7. ""''^^l^^^^.-e on the 

,,,t he could not ^^^'^ ^:^:'^^,i:::^:e:\.n.^ t^e 

shedding of hmuan blood Such a '' » ,-,t„a,i„n, and 
nuld gdniu. of our republic ^"^niCo he •would, i 1 our 
an.l eave us assurance that such a pi do*ophe. ^o 1 

Zur. national colhsious with ^-^^^^'^^^^d^^- 
,He probahle ^-s^ .miv^^^ S^- l,;;:^ t^ns.bW led 
mean people n xvar. U me a " - , ■ ^^ |„s es- 

::r:;rrrr»":.S'bV^;::r:s^:.Hp,nden..o 

!'".,ch, ti.e |..ol,»ble » asle of human blood. 



13 



Man . the creau^e fk^^^^^ ^l^:^f^. 
This theory - ^^^''^-l^^/'S'nof ' Sonat. who sustai ed 

that " chous anstocrac, , ^here a, e du ^^^^ 

Vive who are not ^^e de. .ded fnex^^^^^^^^ 
those two have tl-^r res.den- ^^^^ 

which was visited by the d^f/^^'^- ^^^^ , ,.t there are 
Throughoutthe mtenoref theStat.^omy ? ^.^^ ^^^ 

but few of " that hated ar.stoc.acv ^^^^^^'^^f jviagi.tratc; 

in opinion in my preference ^^^ *^f P^^^ Vf t ' ^^^^^^ 
but it may enter into the scope of the p^h^oUg ^ ^^_^^^^ 

and his poli.ical ----^^^o J.^ ^a,";^^^^^^^^^ re- 

aristocracy" are committed to his lavon 

present the Present admmjstrat.n a. 

^. odious a-.»ocracy ' and thus a, e^^^^^^ 

^' bone and sinew of the ^ifJ'^P heretofore su. ceed- 

present «dmimstration The attempt ^,.,t,, denun- 

ed not. A recoil may be th«/e '^^^t ^^ 

S^:^;s;.Xbri:ir=^^"'-'"-^^^ 

^^Tl:S:::^sir..ammethecas..^ 

::il^r ^^-^I^J^r s!^: ^ .een^mproperiy biassed, 

by personal and P^l'^^^^^l^f ^^'^^dVontemplated the diffusion 
The law under wnch he a ted J\^,^^^.,^,^^, .,,• the 

oftheknovvle-l^eofthe awsamon- ^j^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^,^^ 

States and T. rritories .n e e,e^ ^^^ ^^ 

National Journal o< this J^^**;'^;',' ^j^^ pi.tnct sufficiency 
,he hx^: if it has a circulation ^J't^^'^j'^^^^^^^^^^ ^,, this lloor, 
e,x.en.ive for Jl^^t Purpos -^nd - ^^^^ 

1 presume, doubts this. y\^ ^ J , NatioKal IntelhErencer 
4. of .he Sta.e Department io„^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ 

,0 the Journal, is the most ^••t'5';^/J'\f j,,, oxpect:...m. 
Se-retary has never ^^^ ^^^ I'Xrt red libertine," 
that he could .estraio the prcss-t„is 

by sue".. Linil»'»tian ties, p^_,.i:nasavs "time will show 

^The gentleman t';!^"'f^^ ^^/j^'^tXe Seaet.ry wi!» brin,^ 
whetlua-thiscorrect.onot heirs by tlie ^^^^^^^^^ ,-^,. 

,Hem into .lie P-^)^-- T momen. iLt a ,Lss so .re- 
thc gen.lcman to b; I. M 10 . ,^, principle in all 

.^mhien.lv riist.ncuished to» ''^ J'^"^^ , nnssmnn r de- 

U.e .ivalshipsof party wlK>^eol^^^^^^^^^^^ ,,,n,ratio. of 

fence of ti.ose princ pies, ^'l;''^"f^^ %.^„,i considerations, 
US ..emies-could ever «- -^'-. „, .^ministration, 
yield a support to »-e m( - me He was the 

Th i. candidate is no l«' ?^'' ^»^^^';''!^ Carolina. He has 
.indicate of ^^^^ SC^^-^'^^^^t^^t^^^e that that 
„,ad^ his ch.ce, «'f "; ' ^^/ wL not. .herefo 'e. per- 
cho.cev.suUs ro.^selfi^h f bn ^^^.y^ ^„, f ^o- 

-;i:'r '^eX^I^^S Patriot is vej.esentcd as a 



14 

paper Ktiving nearly four thousand subscribers, of a 
truly republican character. Yes, sir, they cann.'t debate 
this question, wichoutrecognisingin every stf-p ofit the state 
•xpediency of rewarding oiu pohtical frienils. They sav, "the 
paper is on our side, and therefore it merits patronage." 

It is not the number of subscribcrii only, that ought to be 
estiinated in the s lection. Its locality forms an essential 
ingredient in the choice. I am willing to a!mit that it had 
an extensive circulation. But are the gentlemen aware to 
what exteiit this principle of selecfion would lead t; em ? It 
Would lea<i th^m to the almost exclusive selection of the old 
Federal presses of thf country. But I ask the gentleman 
fioui North-Carclina to answer with his usual frankness, if 
this paper, thus extensively circulating in a slate whose po- 
litical feelings are in unison with tl>e cabinet, continued to 
pour fourth all its bitterness on this cabinet, to charge it with 
corruption, to misieftresent their policy, and refused to pub- 
lish their vindication furnished by ll'eir friends, and thus deni- 
ed its readers the view of the whole ground — if-^uch apre<s,so 
Conducted, could be ex^iected to retain xh^ pat' onage of the 
Secrrtary,if another paper m that state could be procured to 
answer the purpose ? And we are to presume that the JVevv. 
Hampshire Journal, to v hom the patronage wa tianslated, 
does so answer — because the people, by their representa- 
tives on this floor, have not complained. 

The Maine Argus comes next. The principle of roiation 
in office, in theory, is truly republican ; and the application' 
of this prin< iple is clamorously demanded by those who 
vi«,h for office; while tliose who are in office are never 
forward in presenting this rotatory principle to the people. 
The Maine Argus, when without patronage, and in its infan- 
cy, invoked the applicfttion of ti^is republican prini iple 
agsinst its pn^decessor, and jostled him out, but now when, in 
the revolutionary wheel, " his occupation is gone," he 
ceases to a'imire this principle, and denounces its '.xercise 
as vindictivt- and ruinous to the liberties of tie couutt y I ! ! 

The statements here made by tlie advocates of the resolu- 
tion, .show that no information is r* cpiired to enable this 
House to decide if any other lodgment of ihis power is re- 
quired by cousiderafi'-ns of public expediency. 

The gentleman fr in Tennessee says, that he is to pre- 
sume, that as this call is resisted by (he peisonal friends of 
Mr. Clay, that such resistance is in ficiordauce with his 
views. This remaik does not, tannnt apply tome. I am 
not one of his personal friends. I cam here a stranger to 
him, lietcrmined to have " peace, honest friendslup with 
all, cnianyling Hllian«:es with none." But it will not, it is 
mot pei milted, that there "hall lie " neutals" in f is Presi- 
dential contest. .In this tie liv.il parties may act upon 
the maxim of an ancient Republic, which de* nis < very man 
indifiurcut to ibe fate of hi^ country, who did not . nter into 
oue or the oth; r of the pelitictil factious wiiich divided the 



15 

Republic. I do, however, resist the call for the " causes of 
removal," because I deom th- same to be inconsistent with 
t'le first Hod great ori.iciples of jurisprudence. I. is a maxim 
founded on humaniu, and essential for the security of the 
citizen, that no pet son whose ronduct is the dire -t ol^ect of 
inquiry, shall be i..terrogat-d by the inquiring power. Not 
that I tremble f.>r the political safety of the Secretary, but 
because the spirit of libert)- rejects a piecedent which may 
be applied to the destruction of any man. If th-re be any 
thiniinthe course of th.- Secretary, in connexion with this 
inatt^er the subject of reprehension, ir is that political fear- 
lessness which has manifested itself, by the rf moral of these 
men with the moral cerainty that they would give to tneir 
strictures more of bitterness and gall. This, 'low-ver, was 
a question for himself; an-l he has again displayed that in- 
dependence which has pre-eminmtly marked his political 

"ror a violation or abuse of this delegated rig* t, he sub- 
jects himself to the inquisitorial power of this Hons. , and to 
impeachment before an august tribunal; anl was it erer 
known that where such responsibility attached, that them- 
quirin- power attempt d to interrogate the individual 
a^ •ins°t whom the inquiry was directed, as to mnoce icp or 
guilt ^ The mild ge .ius of our government forbids tnat we 
should administer justice on the accursed principle of the in- 
quisition. , . J.' J. u 

The -nhumanity of this course, and its opposition to the 
fixed and permanent notions of our jurists, may he illi.strated 
bv two or three imasrinable rases. Suppose that a Presi- 
dent <hoidd make a nomination to the Senate, and aft r it 
was confi.med, party hatred should suggest tbat ther was a 
corrupt bargai.ing between him who gave, and him wh. re- 
ceived the appointment ; that the fi- s< should receive one- 
half of t' e outfit, and, to sift this accusation, it was moved lu 
this Hunse, to ask him the causes for such an appouitm. nt. 
I 1( avf it toy iu, sir, to imagine what an indig.ant burst of 
disapprobation would re-echo through this vaulted room 

Imagine that a Secretary of War, of the Navy, or the 
Treasury, should be a candidate for ih'- Preside. cy ; i uit to 
prom)tehisowneievation,heshouldbec>meimmediatelv md 

d rectly responsible for the expensesof a pnnting establish- 
ment ; (hat he should transfer to this paper, in whose ■,'■ o&t 
an I loss he had al<lirect into est,having a most hmited circula- 
tion—the proposals for the supplies for his Dei)artme it, and 
that this abus^ of official patr )naije should form the sui.ject 
of legislative inquiry. 1 ask the a.lvocates of this inquiry, 
if they would not ransack language in search of inve tive 
against the recognition of such a right on the part of this 
House, as is now attempt d l>y the resolution on thp ta le ' 
Bni, sir, if we are to commence a war against patrona ' , let 
us be consistent ; let us not single out one Deiartment as a 
peculiar object of jealousy and distrust. Let us shears^. 






he Departments of iheir powers. Let us visit the Naw 

tr. i'^'.T' ^""^ "■-" l""'^ ^*^^^' ^"^ ^^«"^ <'^^se ministers 
op off all power. For, if I am rightlv informed, the na 

l?e of th'e s/T n ''^^'^ i^^Par^inen.s is , ns to th. patron- 
ageofthe State Department, as a . undred to one If we 
se ecf one onl;^, „nr constituents «ili b.lieve that p. lit-cal 
<J.'sappoH.tments seek.- to gratify its malignity a^a nst (he 
one thus se ectal. Our visitations, to be respected must 
be without distinctiofi. ' ' "" 

The -entleman f.om South Carolina, on his very first an- 
pearancem this .lei ate. assum s the imposing chLacterof 
berng the champion of the liberty of the pres..* He f II I pi 

I L7tv -^ V,:t''''' "'*' r'''''' '""''y -croachment on'^ 
.berty IS te t by t,.e people. The history of this country 
shows that .t. cef.nders have bee. the popular favou,i,es M' 
we ,lay, wl, le those who attempt to subject it to control have 
been doomed to political death. i"J',na\e 

^LTr '""l^ ""* o'uection then that the gentleman from 
.Jmo? fn'"^' ^r^'"^ '" ^'^ ''''''''' ^y ^^ ^ history of past 
dfbvthf -"'-••'-^V^" ^^^''"^--^ •he day towards £ 
selt by the energy and animation with which he enters into 
to the ,st m defence of the purity of the press '^ut I Ho 
deny his.ight to exhibit the ^.ppo'sers of t'"s Loru"!;n t 
tse.,em.e.s, andvmd,cat.ngits control by the pat.ona-e of 
the government. No man here questions the neos.iTy of 
preservmgit in a Hits freedom-no man seeks .-ere .o sub. 

dtw^'hr^ rr"'- ^"**^'*^ ^'^ admirable d.^terlty ia 
debate, he seeks to cnange the very nature of the inquiry 
Ih. mquiry discussed is, i,. ,t neces..ary, in order to , ele^e 

men^'o^lr'^'^^r; ^* *"^'^ ^^-'^^ be anothl ^il" 
men of he power? It has been answe.ed, that this lod|. 
m^ntofthis power where it now is, cannot and his not 

tZ ^ueff'"^'" H '1- "'" ^^j ^"^^ y^' '^' gentlLjn say M a 
the question to be discussed is. whether in this countVv it be 

Lnl?'"^' '\§:oven.menta! ,>ress should be sustained by 

Queftfon 'h'/r ''' ^^^'^'^"•^"^ Having thus va ,ed the 
que-'tion, he discourses most sweetly on the powe. of the 

Sir. /''"" -'u' ^r "* '" "'^*^' ^^" ^'S^^ ^"^' <ia.kness"-and 
decorates with all the beauty and variegated lustre of decla- 

favoiuVt^rtJn' P""".":' ^loctrines of political iheorists in 
Doseh* /I '"•''• ^^'^^^"*'^»'^'» -^^ deceived if he sup- 
poses hat (here ,s a member on this lloor so forg. tful of the 
rep"blican prmciples of our institution, so heedle.vs of pul lie 
oen ur , as to advorate the exp, diencv of wielding thi.. great 
inst.ument over the public opinion, by the powe^ ofoftica 
fav..u,,t.s..,. Ho will be equallv deceived, if he s„pnosrs 
ha he can mduce the freemen ,f this country to believe 
that we who r. si^t this call reject Vv torce of his general 
dort.i.nes, connected with the blessings of a free pre^s 

Ihe gentleman's . xcursive fancy disdained to b- con- 
fined to the dull subjPct of the r. .solution. He toa.ned 
over the meavnires of the administration, and hia fw- 



17 



litical philosophy unrolded to us the liidd.n sources of 

ta. V ot bt^te,bi/Jorce of ctrcumstmces, which fo, njed a sort 
of moral cestivp has been induced to pursue the course 
wh,c . he i.as taken "Tne condition of.h. adn-iniMra" o.' 
I. -othn^- more or less thai, the situation of an Execnlive in 
ammonia ,n the country.. hat the whole evil may be traced 
back to theelect.on of a President, by a House of Hep es^i- 
tat,ves, u ho was no: th. choice of a majo-ity of (he people " 
Such a .umor.fy admin.str.tion mu.v always live under the 
paly of a m s.rab'.. pane whi. h disturbs theexerc.se of a 
SOLUM judgment and sao-.tcons policy." 'Thev will be ner- 
p.tual!vrat.e. thiuKin, how ,Lr ow^n existenc i .o'b. 
p.eserved. than how the puMic interest is to be advanced'" 
Wheoa^rea. measure -f poli.y is to be brought on, or 
even ujfevior .pp ntmentis to be made, the first question b 
what shall w-.ga.n? ' ' T^.e substantia- and ultimate intereli 
of he coonn.v are matters of .e. n„dary consideration '' 

Haviug ti,us sat.sfi8d himself rhat these princip'es'of ac 
tion a.e uhi osophicUy true, and ..uscptild. of a most Lfd 

proceeded to dep.ct t > us what would be th. practical oper- 
atHHisofsuch - m.noritv administration. He s.y.- ^ 

\ou will find fh.>y nil! generally begir. by endeavouring 
toexcte .he national p.ide and love of glory ofthe Peon f 
by some splendid pa.eant, by which their iartial re own 
or r.piuauonfor a«reat and singular benevolence in the 
cau,e ^fhriman freedom and happiness is to be promote 
These a.ea..a^s will be urged with a mawki-h se.uimenta: 
lit> calculated .0 catc-. all those who are infected with the 
fashionabl. cant ofthe day. and will, above all, be p.epaled 
»n such a u,anner .s t... xcite p.r.v feehng. and gite a ^em- 

a^d^iS'rr."^'""^^'^'"' ^"^ cuiiii^ity ov^- :x:^ 

ih",h\T''^ niovement of Hich .n administration, sl.ould 
the,. ..e three parties u, the country,one of superior force or 
of nicely balanced strenoth with .heir ^own, a..d a third of 
jn er: -r number,, all their effons will be m^lde t.. co ,ci a^e 

his t^nrd party-heuce their appoiu.me.ts will be cast ven 
lo the exrlus.on of th -ir fri-mis, in the rank- of thi- thifd 
party You will find, whenever an office is Jo be fl led 
g.eat hesitation .nd d lay, a pe.fecr survey oft e whole 
l^round aod v rv oft n, after a proca^tination ,rea'lv re. 

r" d "e v;;': ^""" 'r^ ^^^^ ^isti.guished talents a. d C, 
ca ch 'mH T ""^"^^ '" ^'^'' ^'^^^ '^ 'h. authoiitv of I 
fait fu Ki;?-^ s.m runes -ven a zealous constant, and 

th.t mav r f '''"'P'Y t« -Vi'J^l ^- a ipushroom apostate 
that may have been purchas d i-ut ye&terday " 

trona 'e iW 'Z*''^';'" '"''' '" a^i'»inistration has any pa- 
tronage mcde t to th'^ p:e.ss, it will be snie lo u.e if in a 
n a,., r V ,t calculated to render this mighty eugin. su . er^ 
vient to then- peculiar and exclusve i.ite.Lt^lt S'li pit thJ 

J 2* 



18 



presses on the diet of a wholesome regimrin,and in the course 
of sahitar}' di-ripline, till the whol pack should oj)en in 
full harniosoiis cry in one common n.le " 

I ma> cone d-', tnatMf. Adams had not a majority oflhe 
Elect ral votes: — Vet, I may ask, from wheniC does the 
ger^tleman from South Carolina learn that hf- is noic in a 
minor ty ? He says he is not on!>- 7ioiv m a min- rity, but, 
with a prophetic excitement; the g'-ntlemax an..ounc< > that 
he will be in a miMority in 1§29. Is the "' alliance for mu- 
tual safety" so well adjusted, that its j)olitical results can be 
now triurapha.:tly announced with this m : al certainty ? 

I I now nut, Sir, whether ihe Administiation be a minori- 
ty Administration or not. I know it 'o Ijc a Constitutional 
Adniinisti-atiun. Neither do I consent to have it tes.ted, 
whether it be in a minorify or not, by the rule of th'^ gmtle- 
man from Ohio, (Mr. Wright,) when h- says, " when a 
measure recommen ed by iJ shall fail ti> pass, ti.en it may 
be called a minorify Administration. " 

For tlis d-.rtrine 1 am n^ advocate. Whenever we as- 
sume it as a rulr; oi iegfislaiion, let us not comj-iain of being 
called •' Palace Guards." I do not hold niyn'it" bound to 
rise it! my seat, like Alexander'> Guards, at the sramp of the 
foot of the Ei.iperor ! To ii s opirn .ns I ow^ ni> alle- 
giance. I will stt ive 10 miiich where duty, where judg- 
ment directs, although, by so doing, a presidential recom- 
mf^u'latioii siiail be left in a minority. 

The' gentleman's " splendid pageant," got up to ex- 
tend the martial renown of a ininorHy Administ: ation 
tor a singular act of henevoltnct in the cau«t of humaH 
happines«i, is tiie Panama Mission, whei'' '' favorilisir. and 
c^illibdity triumphed over sobrieiy an-l jadgment " 

This c louring of that pajieanl is alike inconsistent with 
the admitted and distinguished ' curtesy of that gent eman 
in de'oa'.e, as with his ineffable difiideuce in bis «>wn snpeiior 
*' re .son at d judgment." 

To tell a raajoiity of this House, that a measure, sanc- 
tioned by them and the co-ordina;e t ranch of ' e legisla- 
ture, was the ofispr.ng of folly, and nuriure>l into life by 
•' ciillibility," surel) <!oes not display a high res]) ct f'-^r the 
feeli gs of tiiHt majority ! 

To eay that '' felly anc' cullibilify" triumphed over ''so- 
brieiy and judgniej)t," is di awing a contrast in his own 
favor, in which letiring diflidence in iiis own talems is not 
<lisce;nable. 

This '' Panama Mission" is describ^^d as springing from 
those corrupt principles of ai lion assigue I by the gentleman 
to a " niiuoritv .Administration. 

. It ^v IS 111 accordance with the long settled policy of 
Mr. Monroe's admiiistr ition, a.^d ajiprobateil by every 
memb r of his Cabinet ; — of tdat policy which has alhoriz- 
<-d 111. President, in his xVlessage to this C nigre.is, to an- 
Qouoce to the civilized world that he bad made a cnwfiden- 



19 

tial arrangem.-nt with (lie late Emperor of Russia, whicii 
left tte Eu. pean world no alter nutivr' but tlint of ac- 
kn- wleitg-ina: Jh;> indepe, desire of the South Ameii an 
Repu'lics. Yet, tliis policy the-t saiiciioned, and wi.ich has 
thus el'-^vated this Rej.i'blic in the (yes of fiieign • ations, 
and c'<n<iiiated foi Am rican iniustry a favoraole siarket, 
when persevered m l.y a ti ic.uiphant ompetilor, is branded 
as the otTspring <:■( f. ily ! 

But, he g^e;;tlfc;uv n says, nith a " mawkish ^en.^ibllitv," 
that tlu-! friends >'f such an Administ'ation are iii gleet :^d, and 
the aj)p'intme:its are cnst into the r<> .k.'i of a ttiicd pa- tv, 
for coiiciliation. And, Sir, is tins matter fur crimination .' 
whil ■ the defeatei. party so act as jftliey cad enregister^-d 
an oath, that they would pursue their successful rivals until 
a wide and capable political destruction s oald sw ,llo\v 
them up ; and, in Lonfamity to this policy, d-iioimce 
all as "apostates," who, h?ing-once opposed to tiie present 
Execntiv*-, accept an appointraimt from tiiCir h,'nds, is it 
a matter of surprise, or of reproach, if ao administiation 
thus 'situated, .^houlM altt^mpt to conciliate? Does the gen- 
tleman mean to i. sinuate, tiiat if they triunijj/i, that all 
appointments will be exclusively <;ns\ niaong friends ? 

" Few die. none resign." Among so many fi iends, 
will it be necessary that some incumbent shall be 
pernutred to r»^tire ? There is power in t'le verv sug- 
p^estio)) ! It will bring around the stiiulard of the mditary 
hero many of the ambitious and of the choice spir !s of the 
land. 

B';t how unnecessary to present to u?, as connected witii 
this askf d for reform, a review of t!ie principles and n)ea- 
sures of a minority Administration I Why diiect aganist 
the:;« principles J^nd these mei-sures all the thunder of his 
eloquence, and the resources <if his « it? Why arouse the 
indignant feeling of the American people against these 
principles and these measures, tlie fruit of a " moral 
destiny V 

Yes, Sir, the gentleman does tell us, that all these prin- 
ciple« of action, ami these measures, are to br traced back 
to " the election of a Piesident by thi> House, who va? not 
the choice of the people !" and that this has caused and 
produced t!^ at " moral destiny" which has giv^'n existence 
to (he?e p-inciples of action, and lo these m.^asnrn . — 
" A Daniel, yea a very Daniel, has come to judgment." 
•' M( ral d. stinyl" If it be a ' moial destiny," then no hu- 
ma/1 wisdom, no patriotism, .o disinterestedness, rould 
)»ave avtrttd these evils, and the administrators of the 
Gove- ;ment stand acquitted before this nation trom all 
censure, and reproacli belongs only to the autl.ors of tlie 
organic law, Avhich permits a " minority President" to 
pre-ide ove«- tbe destinies of this nati-.n. 

If the choice of a minority President is the Pandora's box 
from which these pcliti.al evils have flown, I pray the gen 



20 



tieman to answ-^r me. if the I'k ills \v->u1d not hav* visited 
til •; ;;ij'. '/' tiif' iiiilifo! . h ro hiv< been e'ecii^ i \: . tis 
H u^ ? -.e, t >o, %v >t»ld hava be-'M u mi^oritr Presi.-'ent ; 
th- same 'moral destiny," the Sioie "invinc'L'* neces- 
sity." . ouH '.ave subjected him tn th ^ same i rlncifi •« of 
action, and it w ju!d h^-ve produced thesa e uieasores. He, 
too, would " hi«ve )iv»'d nnde- t!ic palsv « f a miserable 
paiiif, whicli disturbs the ex;rci3t of a sound jiidgm- nt and 
sa^actoiis ooli'-y." Hi^ ivould have be u perpetuaily ''-aiher 
thi k^ng now his own poli;i al existence would 'iavf. ben 
pres rved, than lo-v ihe pui^lic i-.rtt-rest • as to be advanced. " 
" Wlie:: a gi o t m issure of nati >uai I'o'icy was 'o be b; ( ught 
for-'^^ard. the first quesii-^' he Wiuid have p.sk;'d would b- — 
wh^; s ail I ga n ?" " T**e sabstar.tial tnter'?Kts of ti-e coun- 
try '' with i I', •' v.ouid be m'^t' •« of iut .•;• co;idary con- 
si'iciat^on " He, t.>o, ' vioidd b gin hs.< adminisTation hy 
end» ;'.v ring 'o excite the national pride r-nd iove o.' I ; y of 
the : ': ,ie, h}' ^^om ■; lei-*i<' pag' an*, by wh;ch ^is in'j'tial 
reno \> Tor a sivg.iiar bea -v lence sn t e cau ^ oi hurian 
free !'>in is lo e promotiMi. an;: w'vcb watdd give a tempo- 
rnry trif-mph to fanatic sm and cnllibdity over s;briery j-nd 
good N- use. His next rasvemeni woid ' be to t rmpt to 
CO c iate 'h' ;hird pa ly, and a o «stant ai d faitl-'ul tii* nd 
would be made to yield to a mitsh'oom aposiare." if he 
had ni natro'iage which ;::ight b- wit !ded over tie j;re>s, 
lie «'■)!. ':d have been '■ si:re ( > us' it (or liis cwn p'c liar 
and (:xclusiv- b nefit."' He would ;.'Ut the prcise. '• uiider 
I he ''iet of a whole.'^ome repioien, a ' in the co:tr>;e of a 
salutary di.>;ci;.liiu-, lill ibe wh 'le pack wool. I open in full 
harrno .; .us cr^' of < ne commo' note" of " Hail to the Mili- 
tary H ro!" 

'i b< nation ha , the;efoie, nothing to regret in the 'hoice 
of the pres.-nt Preside.it. E tch would hav • beei, cositiolled 
by lie *;am! " mo at d stiny." The same pr.litic.d ;'. naers 
woo d liavc rcsidied f om the administrati -n < f (ien ral 
.Tar ."vouj^if t e g'^ubMiui I's philosophy of " moral destiny" 
be t\\\ \\ hy then cunvu'se t s nation, by exhibiiin : tlie 
suppo-rd < rror* of a triumpKnnt rivai, w h» n the disappoint- 
ed < iiant wouli have been propelled, (atconlin. to the 
adm.ssi ^« of his «wn enl gliten.d fii r.ds,) hy tie s.ime 
'■mo.al es.iny," to pursue ihe sam polidcal com se n w re- 
pn se ii d so selfish, and .-o dangerous to the libertit^s of this 
cou ti-y. 

I have .one with fhis "' '-'oral d stiny" of the g'-ntlcraan. 
A " mo.al destiny" never .irranied of by the fiamer.*; of the 
constitotiiin. A^moal de»tiny" which owes it- biithto 
the i naginati n (W' t e oent!<'i!?n, A '' u>o;al iles iny" 
whir'i .V icirls the venalit) and improvide' ce of a mii ority 
Pr s-i !• nt fr -m ' f contr 1 a, id lejjien' nsion of ptW!ic opi- 
ni' u. and <i:s uins veu iinpeachment of its tciiors. 

Tlte uiiimpa i.ioned niiud vsill wonder, thi with ail the 
appetite for crira'nation, and all the means of research ac- 



.no 



imraitigaled violence," as to cause the political death cfhim 
who presented fnem to the consid-^ration of the national 
le<nslalure. But, it the mere presentation of such topics for 
the consirleration of the national wisdom has thus blasted 
the political hopes of the present Chi^f Magistrate, can the 
gentleman for a mome-t belierp that the "people's candi- 
date" will escape the destrurtive fury of this political ex- 
plosion ? He who, in his letter to Doctor Colem m, boldly 
avows, in the h.nsuage of the Virginia Enquirer, " thrit the 
Congress has a right, anl that it ought to exercise it, of 
putting their hand into the pocket of a southern planter, to 
take from it his money, to give it to an eastern manufactu- 



rer " 



If th" gentleman's joy he well grounded, the same po- 
litical her-sies give up both of the candidatps for the Pre- 
sidency to the same destroying exph>sion. It will teach 
also other distinguished citizens; yea even him who from 
the summit lev^l of the Allegany invoked the genius of m- 
ternal improvement to aid in the completion of the Chesa- 
peake and O'lio Canal, that great and connecting link which, 
he proclaimed, was to hind this " Union in an a iamantme 
chain"— ev<n him, the Vice President, will come willjin the 
expansion of it<i desolation; and. if I am not grossly misin- 
formed as to the political doctrines of the gentleman from 
Sou'h Carolina, he will m.t escape from its rage. 

Let him not suppose for a moment that the political hos- 
tility of Virginia is to be disarmed by names. She h is borne 
on her political escutcheon the inflexible mottoof "Piinciples, 
not men." But the gentleman do s rejoice. Sampson rejoiced 
while, to crash an em my, he tore up the pillars of his safety, 
and uried himself, hisfrieiid'^, his enemies, in one common 
ruin. B'lt perhaps those political heresies are now to be 
discarded. If it be so, I trust in God, for the honor of our 
country, that the future sratesman will not trace such sud- 
den revolutions, in our long practis. d opinions and policy, 
either to that inordinate ambition for power, or that princi- 
ple of action which wften induces public men to abandon a 
political course wtdch tley deemed ess< ntial to the haj^pi- 
ness of the country, berause the same course is pursued l>y 
a political rival, whose destruction they toil for. 

I bulieve, however, that the gentl man does joy without 
cause. Sure T am the doctrine of internal iinprovmipnt 
contained in that Message was incapable of producing any 
such "prodigious excitement." 1 o Virginia is the nation 
undei high obligations: Her patriots first started the ban 
of rrv«»lntion; and to sustain it She poured forth her gallant 
sonjt to battle, under tne banner of the saviour of his coun- 
try. She gave us a Washington, to achieve our indepen- 
dence, an'! to reconcile the dissatisfaction spriugiog fiom 
the adoption of the C( nstitution : She gave us a JefTerson, to 
give to the Administration a truly republican character: She 
^flvyy^JVJaclisonMc^an^^mi^^ 



21 

oessible to the gentleman from South Carolina, notliin^ as 
yet has b'^en discovered by him in the measures ol" ti^e na- 
tion?! g'overnment of such terrific import, save the "Panama 
Mission," "the selection forofBce Aom the third party," and 
ihe translation of (he publication of the laws from sixteen 
newspaprrs ! 

H>'W wise must the measures of such an administration 
be, when so little is found even for party exciteme-it to carp 
at? How grateful ought the friends of the administration 
to be to that gentleman for thus culling out its only '-riors. 

Permit me to tell the gentleman, that, bv this, he has done 
more to convince t is nation that tiie clamours against the 
■' condition" are more the offspring of disapp'intme.it, than 
of any wtll grounded objection to its measures; than alt 
the panegyrics of its friends. 

We all recollect, Mr, Speaker, with what animation, with 
whfit J03' beaming on his face, the gentleman from South- 
Carolina informetl us that the message of the Presidi nt to 
Congress, at its last session, was so charged with reasons to 
its very muzzle ; that it blew him "sky high" in the ancient 
dominion, by its recoil. 

If I utiderstand the moral of this metaphorical language, 
it i'j, that the political principles hnd the national policy 
avowed in that messase, have consigned, in the ancient do- 
minion, its author to political death. It then becomes a mat- 
ter of great interest to us (considerii g the relation in w hich 
that gentleman stan.'s to th^ opposition, and which leaves 
us no lOom to doubt that this language and this jo) is the 
language ac.d the joy of the opposition) to inquire what 
were the doctrines and the p< Lev of that message. By such 
an inquiry, we may be enabled to dispel the forebodings 
that the present divisions of parties are exclusively personal ; 
and we may b^ enabled to discern the land-m;itks npon 
which we divide. Till ih's avowal of the gentleman, there 
was no indication of the causes '^f division. Bui it it .should 
now appear that the long-settled principles of national poli- 
cy ate to be sacrificed to insure the itistallation of the Hero, 
the sacrifice of the national interest made to subserve his 
elevation ran never be compensated for by any measure of 
his a tmini>ti ation. 

That message pre>ente(l for our consi<leration nothing 
hut w!iat had been pres' nted by the predecessors of the 
Pre--ident. Not one novel doctrine was contained in it. 
The navy, tlie army, maritime fortifications, protection of 
American industiy, exploration of the north-western coast, 
an "bservafory, a national University, and internal improve- 
ments, wcrt- the hackneyed subject."; recommended h> the 
coi sideration of Congress, so far as legislation over them 
was sanctioned by the conftihitional poner of Corigresx. J. 
trust, thiMcfore, tiiat tlie gentle. van i< mistaken, in suppo* 
sing that these doctrines, so famliar to the ancient omi- 
nion, did produce a political explosion of such ._|_iusr;_aiuL 



23 

second war of independence: She gave to us a Monroe, (o 
restore harmony *• sod"! imerrourse. Virginia has been 
emphatic-liy tho lai'd of Presi i^nt<, and the Ian of safe 
precedenfs also: Yes, Sir, Washington callrd Jellcrsni to 
the S( itf Deparrment, and the people calltd him to the 
Piesidency; Jefferson called Ma.iison, Madison called \:oa- 
roe, Monroe called Adams; and these wf^re snf- prece- 
dents //je/i. Bnt t ese are not all ti.e nlessinHS which Vir- 
ginia as ponrf-d forth ou the nation The intJependence of 
the nation being* stablishcd, its lepublican character being- 
fixed by th • revolution of '802, the statesmen of fha' day 
anticipating that swarm* of emig»ants would pour forh from 
the northern hive, to t.'ie fertile valleys 'f ihe Mis.',,ssippi, 
frembedlest awesrern empire s oulH arise, and thus divide 
this happy Union. Their nnxions cares were directed to 
the means essential to be adopted to pr. vent this great na- 
tional calamity; and it entered into the comprehensive and 
saga.ii us mind ofnne of her purest patriots and her most 
celebrateJ constitutional lawyers, Mr. Giles, that the surest 
guard against snch a iivision was to make it the tommon 
interest of all to preserve this union ; and tiiat that unity of 
interest could alone be consummated by facilitating tiie in- 
ter ourse from t e western poition of tliis empiie to ihe wa- 
ters of the Atlantic, by turnpikes to be laid out under the 
authority of Congress. 

Tbatgr-at statesman, the pride of his StatP, in carrying 
this t leory into practical operation, made the celebrated re- 
port - f March, 1802, upon the proposition to admit Ohio in- 
to the Union. The language of that report is : 

" i he Committe , taking into consideration these stipula- 
tions, viewing the lands of the United States witliin the 
saidT rritoiy as a", important source of revenue ; deemi.g it 
also of the tiighest importance to the stability and perma- 
nence of the Onion «>f the Eastern and Western parts of the 
United States that th'^i> intei course should, as far as possi- 
ble, lif facilitated ; and their interests be liberally and mu- 
lual!y consulted ai d promoted, arc of opinion'' — ainoivg 
other provisions—" that one-tenth part of the nett pioceeds 
of the land lying in the sai'1 Stat*^, In reafter sold by Con- 
grrss, after deducting all expeusi s iiicident to tlie same, 
shall t,e aptilied to the laying out and making turnpike and 
oth' r roads, leading from the navigable waters einpt^'in^^ i; - 
to tiie Atlantic, to Ohio, and continued afterwards through 
the State, of such roads to be laid out by liie aulhorihj of 
Congress, with the consent of the several States through 
whirh the roa.l shall pass." 

Tis repoit was not only sustained l>y his vote but by his 
elequ-nce, and the entire vote of the Virginia delegation. 
This is the first recognition of snch a power in the CongrekS 
of the United States; a;. d Viiginia has the right to ( liiini this 
as anoth r evidence of her strong devotion to the coinmoa 
cause, and of the lasting benefits wl.ich t!:ewisd( n and pa- 



24 



rental foresight of her mustnouscUizen have conferred .u 

ynyriad^ vet ""^«'"- , .-,„rv controversy which has re- 
W.rned, tos by th" I'te ary CO ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ 

cen.lv au,act.d the p..bhc -«' f j';:^,, ,f ,he first move- 
the rignt ';-ProTthe R-o « on, U.e Lpgislature^of tl.at 
ments m favor of the n v ^^^^^.i^ly charged to in. 

State has created a * «"^^''"?^the exe-cise of -his power 
quire into the const.tut.onaltv of tteexe ^^^ 

2y the Congress of the Unued State- 1 ^^ ^^^^^.^ ^^^^ 

Committee wilh as »" ^^' ^^^^ hTc^n.titulional povv.r of 
t)pin.onsoflearnedsa-e»astotne ^j^monstrate, be- 

t£s House: -.«^-v.ngU><^o th^-^^,^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^, 
vondallscppticism, that to v i ^ ,, .-.^^ to come, any 

Ihisdocrine; ^"^ ^'^ ^J^.t , ^i^^ o" ^o /e 

other State r«bb»?,^\t';;^f^tv ' of this House to legislate 
cognise the const. tntional power ^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^ 

for these gr.at national wo. ks^^A^ ^^^^ ^.^^ ^^^^^.„^ 

that this report has ^\^1^^{ -^^^^^.e, for I have just learn- 
has been sanctioned ^ ^^^^^^ ^^eu elevate-l to'lhe guher- 
odlhat its dlustno'is autuoi na. 

natorial chair ^^ I'^l'^* ,J|j7;^,iieve that the gentlema,i joys 
I cannot, therefore, but hehe^^^.^j^^^^^.^ ^^o^^^^ ^^^^ .^,^ ^,^ 

without cause; for siicn a 1^. ^ ^^^ recommend- 

to political ^^^ .'•"'=^'"" .^.rltio^^ of Coaor/ss a political baail- 
in. to the '^t^^"*^;^^/^;,^^ it crowned with adulation and do- 
ling of Its <>7 State vvhot ^ -version of poht.- 
nors the author of •i^' ^^!" ''';•. . „„., \hat they rendered 
oal ;,.sti< e, thci. ^-;-i'f^ "^,: t;a' Ate ibel pronounced 
the.Mselves obnoxious to the lonl ancl^ e ^,^^^^, 

against the Southrons ^y»^^^^^,^Xe„ow excites th-ir sym- 
Patriot, (whose ^'^^^'^ ^^'^ *A^k//" vvc.e laid on him to cure 
puthies, l>efore the hand o a l^n^ ^^^. .^j^^,,^ ^ ,„« 

Inu. of his political ev. ^.) ^f"^^ ^,,^ ,,ere opposed to 

siniplhMty of his 'n>;;hl-- ; "^Xe Vl'londor of a soathron 
l.iiu because nc moved not witn u.c i 

equipage." . ti.oppntleman is deceived; because I 

1 dol.u^U, Sir, that the gentk^nn^^^ this country re- 

.10 belicv. that the 1-?!-^^^;^"; this House; and that 
qui.e the exctrisc ol such a poN .^ ^.^^^^ ^^.,^^.^^^^, j 

Nvimont such .n exevcisc ^; .' ;j;,\, f„ ^^r popvdation, :>nd 
.-onie n,ust and will rcmam ^^'^^^ i,, , ,U l'n>sld.nt 
in her resources ; and 1 - ' /^J;„ '?;,;,„.,,Uiu-ie defences, 
„ ho sludl sustain the na>7, h^;^ • ;^^^„,. ,„ ^f ,,.. ,ountiy ; 
^nd the imi..ovem.n. "t t - mun. ^^ ^^^^^^^^.^ ^,.,^,^ 

t::t!d:.;l^;^x:XvS^^"^^^>-•-^^^ 

..>.neotl:er for thuthig;h station. 

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